This last four months has been like having a Bipolar disorder. So many ups and downs that I can't even stay in check. This semester, my last at Essex County College, is a wrap, well almost. I have four more weeks teaching mental health with the LPN to RN students and then I'm done. This semester I started with 78 students, 6 who dropped, and then 15 who didn't make it moving forward after sitting for the final exam. It really is the trill of victory and the agony of defeat. This week the students faculty evaluations, an anonymous evaluation, where the range went from "racist" to "changed my life". Needless to say of the 72 students who finished up this semester were not all fans. In fact, I would bet some would like to see me dead on the side of the road.
But there were others who may at least stop and check for a pulse. And then there are the ones who would actually try and save my life. In the end it doesn't matter as I wish them all the best moving forward even if it means having to repeat a semester again. I was very surprised to walk in to a surprise going away party thrown by a large group of the ones that didn't hate me. I was blown away. I was also very blown away when they handed me a new Orvis Helios 9 foot 10 weight, seen above on the left, for the appreciation of how hard we all worked this semester. I can't wait to return next spring and watch them all get pinned as they begin their journey in nursing.
But before the week of final exam drama and trauma I had to shoot down to Florida to visit Mom who had a little situation going on between her ears. Luckily everything went well
and she's still upright and doing well. I don't want to violate HIPPA but if you're more older than younger then it's important to go and get checked when things appear to be going sideways. Time to treatment is of the essence especially when we're talking heart and brain stuff.
Fishing in and around New Jersey has been getting better each week. Big fish now in Atlantic City and a smattering of bluefish in and around the inlets keeping rods bent. The Raritan Bay has been solid with reports of bluefin tuna dropping in to get in on the bunker bite.
The fishing pics on social media have been more of the same. Guys, you're not keeping fish over 31 inches, do you need to have double trebles on your offerings? Can you at least pinch down the barbs so you can salvage at least one of the eyes you'll partially remove like above? I found this loaded lure on the banks of the river and let me tell you those hooks are sharp and strong. If a fish swallows it, like they do a herring, that trailing treble is going to wind up in a bad place. We have to do better.
For me it's been the worst spring I've had since I'd say I've been dialed in for the last couple of years. Low water, weird bait and fish patterns, and not as much time on foot has be a blow to my fishing ego. I haven't even had one for the tank yet.
I've put hours and miles in and just haven't been in the right place at the right time even with bait swimming at my feet. I know other's are catching and I was there a month ago playing photographer for my friend as he landed fish to 35 pounds. Great, maybe I'll be a tag along fishing photographer as my next career move.
